Autism Friendly Cities: How to Develop an Inclusive Community

This set of guidebooks are designed to help cities and businesses become autism friendly. Being autism friendly is an initiative that is trending across the world from both the governmental service and business perspective. Cities and businesses are committing to developing strategies and inclusive approaches for their residents, customers, and employees, while others are looking for ways to rehabilitate their organizations from unfortunate incidents.

The first of two books, Autism Friendly Cities: How to Develop an Inclusive Community is a necessary resource for the community to develop ways to improve access and enrich the engagement experience for individuals with autism and their families, as well as adhere to the ADA. Many people with autism are isolated or excluded from community functions, services, and recreation. They also find it difficult to navigate business environments, some that are as basic as the corner coffee shop or the hair salon. This is a circumstance that is changeable. Cities are showing signs that they are ready to take the next step and open their doors in ways not done in the past. Cities are engaging from a fully inclusive level, like the City of Boynton Beach, to larger entities that have reached out for more specified needs including the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The common challenge faced by cities is that they lack the tools and the information needed to develop initiatives to address these challenges. This book offers cities the guidance they are lacking which will have a significant impact on this special needs community and those that serve them.

The author includes case studies and stories of communities who have initiatives in place to become autism friendly communities and how they got there. Throughout the book, the reader will find numerous worksheets, prompted exercises, samples, and visual references.